September 26, 2011

Monday morning Big 12 coaches teleconference notes

First up is Texas coach Mack Brown.

When asked about continuing the rivalry with Texas A&M, Brown referred that topic to Texas AD DeLoss Dodds. Brown said the Big 12 and SEC are considered the two strongest conferences in the country right now.

Brown said personally he is fond of traditional rivalries and considers them important - including Texas vs. Texas A&M but also said schools are doing what is best for them at this point and it may not be in each schools' best interest to continue the game.

Brown said the Longhorns wouldn't name a starting QB and their plan is to go with Case McCoy and David Ash.

Next up is Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.

On Texas A&M to the SEC, Stoops said he wished it hadn't happened but that the Big 12 is still a strong, powerful league.

"There is still a great deal here, when you look at the BCS system, and wha we have been able to do," Stoops said.

Stoops said he was pleased with his team's ability to bounce back against Mizzou but was disappointed with the way they started the game by getting down early.

On falling in the AP Poll, Stoops said he understands the drop and feels it was justified with his team's performance.

Next up is Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy.

On the Cowboys' win over Texas A&M last Saturday, Gundy said it had a lot to do with his team's confidence and chemistry.

On WR Justin Blackmon losing the ball and it going out of bounds in the end zone, Gundy said Blackmon was stretching out to reach the ball into the end zone.

Gundy said he looks forward to seeing Blackmon doing that in the NFL but not for his team again.

On the Big 12, Gundy said he was disappointed with the departure of Texas A&M.

"Maybe we will play with nine teams or maybe we will pick someone up," - Gundy on the conference's future. "I hate that they're not in our league and not part of the Big 12."

Next up is Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville.

On his team's close win over Nevada on Saturday, Tuberville said his team has a lot of room for improvement but he liked the mentality of his team. He said his players never panicked in having to rebound being down 14 points late in the game.

On Texas A&M to the SEC, Tuberville said the Aggies are going into a different environment but that "football is football. I think they'll do fine. I think they'll fit in well."

On Kansas (Tech's opponent on Saturday), Tuberville said the Jayhawks are much like his team in that they are looking for an identity and having to play a lot of young players.

Nect up is Baylor coach Art Briles.

On QB Robert Griffin III, Briles said RG3 has improved with experience and has grown from an intellectual standpoint.

On Texas A&M's move to the Big 12, Briles said he has no thoughts or opinions and did not comment on whether or not he would miss the rivarly between the two schools.

Next up is Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman.

On Texas A&M-Arkansas being a conference game after this year, Sherman wasn't sure as to whether the teams would continue playing at a neutral site or have home/away games. The Aggies take on the Razorbacks at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.

On going to the SEC, Sherman said he would address the topic after A&M's president makes comments on the issue on Monday night.

On continuing the rivalry with Texas, Sherman said it would be sad to see it end. If it does end, Sherman said new rivalries would come up. He said it would be difficult to have to play Texas and then go play an SEC team the next week.

Sherman said the Aggies' move to the SEC has not been a distration to his team.